Courtesy: National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS)

MANILA (UPDATE) — The Department of Foreign Affairs will file a diplomatic protest following the latest aggression of Chinese Coast Guard and People's Liberation Army Navy vessels against Philippine vessels near Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional fishing ground in the West Philippine Sea that is also referred to as Panatag or Scarborough Shoal.

The Philippine Coast Guard reported on Wednesday, Dec. 4, that a CCG vessel water cannoned the BRP Datu Pagbuaya's navigational antennas and also "intentionally sideswiped" the ship.

“We are submitting a protest,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a chance interview during the signing and exchange notes of Japan's Official Security Assistance (OSA) grant aid to the Philippines at the DFA building in Manila on Thursday.

"It’s very clear. I mean, we were within our legal rights. And Japan, of course, has supported us on that and many other countries," Manalo noted.

The DFA had already filed around 40 diplomatic protests with China in 2024 as of August.

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The DFA chief also noted that other countries supporting the Philippines are also concerned about and baffled by China's actions.

"They don’t understand why China again is repeating these actions which are currently illegal," Manalo added.

When asked if the DFA will summon Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, Manalo said he “will be seeing him”.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo also expressed "serious concern" over China's dangerous actions.

"We oppose any actions that escalate the tensions in the region and we’re very much committed to the rule of law and it’s quite clear the position of the Japanese government," he said.

'SQUATTER SILA DOON'

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also condemned China’s continued narrative claiming parts of the West Philippine Sea — the part of the South China Sea within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

"Eh wala naman talaga silang basehan sa sinasabi nila eh kaya nga ino-occupy nila, squatter sila doon sa area na 'yun," he said.

(Well, their claim really has no basis, that's why they are occupying it. They are squatting in that area)

He said that China has been using force to assert its narrative but that the Philippines strengthening partnerships with "like-minded" countries to counter China's “bold-faced lies".

"[K]ung tayo ay bumigay dito sa istorya nila na ang Bajo de Masinloc kanila, eh nandyan na 'yung arbitral award sinabing walang basehan ang kanilang sinasabi," Teodoro noted.

(If we give in to their story that Bajo de Masinloc is theirs... well, we already have the arbitral award saying their claims have no basis.

"Ito katakawan at kagahaman ng Tsina (This is China's greed)," he added.

Teodoro further urged the public to condemn China's aggressive actions as the defense department continues its efforts to strengthen the country's capabilities.

CHINA'S UN CLAIM

Meanwhile, the National Maritime Council criticized Beijing after it submitted a statement to the United Nations claiming that the Scarborough Shoal is an inherent part of China’s territory.

NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez questioned China’s basis for making such a claim despite the UNCLOS and the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling saying otherwise.

“While they are working on the proper international processes, ang question, ano ba ang basis nila? Kasi ang Scarborough Shoal, it’s about 120 nautical miles from ours. Samantalang sa kanila, ang Hainan kasi ang pinakamalapit na probinsya ng Tsina, and that is more than 500 nautical miles away. Kapag sinabing exclusive economic zone, that should be within 200 nautical miles. Just imagine, 500, tapos 200?” he said.

“Sinasabi nila, historical claim? Eh walang ganon sa UNCLOS.”

Lopez meanwhile called on Filipino fishermen not to be intimidated by the China’s increased presence in the Scarborough Shoal, and to continue fishing in the area.

“So punta kayo doon, babantayan namin kayo, papaldahan namin kayo ng pagkain, ng mga petrolyo, nang tumagal ang inyong mga fishing activities.”

The NMC however thumbed down calls for the Philippines to send its own Navy vessels to disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea.

“Kasi kapag nagpadala tayo ng Navy dyan, kapag Navy to Navy, nag-e-escalate. And we do not know what will happen next if there is a misunderstanding, misinformation. And syempre, maggigirian yan eh, parehong barkong pandigma yan eh. So we might as well put our Navy vessels far away, as we are trying to monitor their activities. Hindi pwedeng ilapit yon, maggi-girian lang eh. So that will escalate the situation.” —With a report from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News